What is Bluetooth?

I hear the term Bluetooth technology all over the place now, but what is it? Even my teenage daughter made the remark that "they are probably using Bluetooth" when referring to a TV commercial the other night. She apparently knows more about Bluetooth technology than I do right now.

My first guess was that Bluetooth had something to do with wireless communication and I was right. But what made this type of technology different from the other types? Bluetooth refers to a particular type of short wave communication specification. The specification was developed by a membership organization called Bluetooth SIG, hence the name "Bluetooth". Bluetooth was not developed by a single company but by a group of people that founded Bluetooth SIG in 1998. They also own the name and trademark "Bluetooth". In order for a product to bare the Bluetooth technology label the manufacturer must be a member of Bluetooth SIG and adhere to the technical specifications that have been adopted for Bluetooth. The name Bluetooth was named after an ancient Danish King - Harald Blatand. Blatand, translated into English is Bluetooth. More information about the Bluetooth SIG organization can be found at their website at Bluetooth.com

Bluetooth operates in the 2.4 giga hertz spectrum which might be familiar to those readers that have had CB or ham radio experience. It is also a short range technology that can operate from 10 to 100 yards and the signal can go through solid objects. It is most commonly used for wireless computer systems operating off of a central LAN. Other applications are wireless head phones and the ability to send pictures from your digital camera to your printer or PC without having to plug it into the device.

Other new applications for Bluetooth technology have come about because of laws. The most recent set of laws that some states have enacted was to make it illegal to operate a hand held cell phone while driving. Bluetooth technology enabled the development of hands free, voice activated cell phone calling. The recently advertised Ford Sync is a Bluetooth technology approved system. To find out more about the Sync system visit their website at Sync My Ride.

So what is new in the works for Bluetooth technology? Coming out later this year is a whole array of low voltage products that are designed to run of a very small watch battery for a year or more. For example, watches that will be able to communicate with your computer or wearable medical devices that can collect pulse rates and other data to be sent to your doctor.

Basically, Bluetooth is a technology that is trying it's best to eliminate communication cords in our environment. I personally know it is a hassle to find the cord that goes from the digital camera to the computer as I often misplace it. What a break through in my mind not to have to have a cord to begin with. Bluetooth technology is wonderful - now that I know more about it.